Seattle Accused of Taxing Guns Out of Existance

The nation’s three leading firearms organizations joined forces today to sue theCity of Seattleover adoption of a retail sales tax on guns and ammunition in what they allege is a clear violation of Washington State’s33-year-old state preemption law that does not allow cities, counties or political subdivisions to enact laws relating to firearms not authorized by state law.

The Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation, joined by two of the city’s firearms retailers – Outdoor Emporium and Precise Shooter LLC – and two private citizens, filed their lawsuit in King County Superior Court. Named as defendants are MayorEd Murray, the city’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services, and that department’s director,Glen Lee.

“We’ve been down this path before withSeattlewhen we sued them and won, knocking out their attempt to ban guns in city park facilities,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice PresidentAlan Gottlieb. “The city does not seem to understand that no matter how they wrap this package, it’s still a gun control law and it violatesWashington’slong-standing preemption statute.”

“Once again, anti-gun activists inSeattlehave chosen to violate the Washington State Constitution and trample upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens,” saidChris Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “They tried to enact similar regulations back in 2009 and lost. It’s a shame to see such a waste of public resources on issues the courts have already ruled to be unconstitutional.”

“NSSF has no alternative but to be an active party in this lawsuit against theCity of Seattle’sattempt to interfere in the lawful commerce in firearms and ammunition on the grounds that it violatesWashington State’spreemption statute that blocks cities from regulating the sale of firearms on their own.” saidLawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “TheSeattleordinance is nothing but a ‘poll tax’ on the Second Amendment and an effort to driveSeattle’sfirearms retailers out of business.”

This legal action is an historic first, marking the first time that SAF, NRA and NSSF have collaborated on a lawsuit. SAF and NRA have joined forces previously in lawsuits againstNew Orleans,San FranciscoandSeattle, the latter overturning an attempt by then-MayorGreg Nickelsand his successor,Mike McGinn, to prohibit legally-carried firearms in city park facilities. However, this is the first time NSSF has been on board.

“No municipality can be permitted to set itself apart as a city-state, in defiance of existing law, especially for the purpose of financially penalizing law-abiding gun owners for problems they did not create and crimes they didn’t commit,” he added. “Just as we did in 2009, we cautioned the city against adopting this tax and our concerns were ignored for the sake of political grandstanding. The law is very clear. Cities inWashingtoncannot set up their own gun laws, and we expect the courts to agree.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.